The Hidden Assassins

3rd in the Chief Inspector Falcón of Seville series.

It’s a more or less ordinary day in Seville. Falcón is visiting the Forensic Institute because a severely mutilated corpse (the mutilations clearly performed to prevent identification) has just been found, and Falcón is anxious to see what the autopsy has turned up.

And then there is a massive explosion, as a bomb rips through a residential building and preschool.

Spain has experienced two previous terrorist attacks, the best known being the bombs that exploded on a Madrid rail line, and was due to a radical Islamic group. Falcón and the various Spanish intelligence and counterterrorism groups believe that what has happened most certainly was either a Muslim terrorist attack gone show more wrong--the explosion originates in a mosque in the basement of the residential block--OR an attempt to place the blame on Muslims, the attack possibly originating with fanatical Christian interests. The public instantaneously believes that it is an Islamic terrorist attack, and the pressure on the police is nearly unbearable.

While the police procedural aspect is very, very well done what makes this book truly outstanding and sets it apart from any others I’ve read is, through characters met previously, Wilson puts forth a really astute look at Muslim mentality--not just radical Islam but the general Muslim world view and a hard look at current culture and leadership within the Muslim world. This is not some political exegesis, where we get the policies of individual countries (although Morocco, because of the number of Moroccans in Spain, is somewhat highlighted), but a look at Muslim culture in general and how that affects terrorism.

In addition, there is an offbeat and somewhat more in-depth examination/explanation of the real reasons why the US went into Iraq than one normally reads.

None of this, however, is in any way preachy or shrill. Not only does it not detract from the sheer entertainment value of the book and the genre, it most definitely adds to it. While The Blind Man of Seville was a psychological thriller in which Falcón’s own mental state contributes to the denouement, this is not such a book, although given that Falcón is an intensely introspective human being, yes, there is a contribution. But to read the first and expect the same in this book is a mistake.

To top it off, it is very well written, the characters believable, and some minor outcomes unexpected--this is not stock fare.

While it isn’t necessary to read the first book, I recommend doing so. There is a 2nd book which I haven’t read because I can’t get it on Kindle and I am getting to the point where it takes an Act of the Asemblea here in Panamá to force me to buy and import a hard copy book. But I probably will, because I’m enthralled by the series.

I can not praise this book highly enough. show less

The pace of this thriller does not stop. The setting: Seville, Spain. The beginning: a mutilated corpse is found on a rubbish dump. The first turning point: an explosion at a block of flats turns out to be a terrorism attack on the mosque in the basement. Or is it? Detective Javier Falcón is swept along by the media circus and political panic as fear of a widescale attack on Andalucía grips Spain.
This is the third of Robert Wilson’s four-book series about Falcón and the story twists and turns relentlessly. The plotting is excellent, I challenge you to work out the answers. As Javier unravels the knots you don’t know what to believe and neither does he.
I am fascinated by the insight into Falcón’s life provided by glimpses of show more his cooking. His housekeeper leaves his food in the fridge for him to prepare in the evening. He is something of a cook. “Encarnación had left him some fresh pork fillet. He made a salad and sliced up some potatoes and the meat. He smashed up some cloves of garlic, threw them into the frying pan with the pork fillet and chips. He dashed some cheap whisky on top and let it catch fire from the gas flame. He ate without thinking about the food and drank a glass of red rioja to loosen up his mind.” And then he goes out to work again. It is 10pm.
I will not give away the plot details, but there are sub-plots too involving characters who featured in books one and two: Javier’s ex-wife Inés and her husband the judge Esteban Calderón, his ex-girlfriend Consuelo, his sister Manuela.
As always, Seville is an additional character. Its streets, the heat, the lifestyle. It makes me want to go there now.
Read more of my book reviews at http://www.sandradanby.com/book-reviews-a-z/ show less

Intricate story of an investigation of a terrorist bombing in Seville, Spain. Reminiscent of the recent Madrid bombings. My main complaint is that there were tons of minor characters and difficult to keep up with lots of detailed plot twists, but at the same time, not much depth to the characters.

An unusual thriller set in Seville and seemingly using many authentic locations. A faceless corpse is found then an explosion rips through a mosque and apartment building, leaving many casualties. Inspector Javier Falcon tries to fit the pieces together, whilst the Spanish security service takes all the information he can provide whilst providing little in return. Complex plotting and many characters, make it challenging to follow all the plot developments and twists, but stick with 642 pages, they're worth it!

This is the third book in Robert Wilson's Javier Falcon series. It is pretty much necessary that one has read the first two books (and in order) to fully appreciate pretty much all of what goes on here. Many of the themes that begin in books one and two begin to be developed in this volume - almost to the point that they overshadow the main storyline of this book. Even some fairly off-the-wall material from book one (The Blind Man of Seville) becomes relevant to what happens here.

The main story line involves a huge explosion in a block of apartments. While this might not normally be a case for Javier Falcon and the homicide department, it follows on the heels of a body being found. The body had been mutilated to prevent identification, show more but was wrapped in the proper fashion for a Muslim funeral. Falcon suspects that the dead man had somehow been involved with the bombing, and that the bombing was an act of terrorism - a theory supported by the fact that, in the basement of the apartment building, there was a mosque.

Investigations reveal that there was, indeed, some sort of terrorist plan underway, and the suspicion is that there was an accident in the mosque that caused a premature explosion. The presence of a terrorist cell in Seville opens the way for a small, local conservative political party to increase its visibility behind a charismatic leader. In an effort to find out if there are plans for a series of terrorist attacks, Falcon is asked to approach a friend of his in Morocco, with the intention of getting the friend to become a spy.

As usual, Wilson gives us a very complex tale, with various sub-plots being interwoven tightly with the main story. Also, as usual, character development takes the front seat. Wilson demands that his characters have a sense of reality to them that is quite unusual for the average suspense tale.

A very good read, and worthy follow-up to the previous two books in the series. show less

A murder investigation in Seville abrubtly turns into a bombing investigation early in this novel, which makes it unlike Wilson's other books. The investigation conducted by Inspector Jefe Javier Falcon drags on, and so does the story, to some extent, until the pieces start coming together at the end and the pace accelerates. With some familiar characters and a side investigation that is more personal to Falcon, the story is complex and compelling.

A huge explosion destroys a mosque in the basement of an apartment building in Seville. The explosion destroys much of the rest of the building as well. After the dust is cleared and the searches are on, many bodies are found.

Inspector Jefe Javier Falcon investigates this event. Much attention is paid to the existence of the mosque and many are assuming that the explosion was the work of muslims who worshipped - and stored explosives - in the mosque. Falcon has reason to think otherwise.

A complicated, absorbing story with many personalities. Good story, good characters.